3 DIY Tips For Emergency Car Key Replacement
The loss of your car keys can be a traumatic experience. There are some things you can do yourself in the event of this happening to you.
First, check the obvious places, such as your pockets or purse. Next, consider buying an extra key and keeping it in a safe place. This can help prevent theft in the future.
1. Call the Police
Contact the police if you are unable to locate your keys. They can assist you in more ways than locksmith or roadside assistance. They can also inform the public that your car keys might have been stolen, which will help prevent other people from using keys without permission.
However, they won't be in a position to unlock your car's door unless it is an emergency situation. They don't have any tools and don't want to risk damaging the vehicle. If the circumstances are suitable the police might be able use a slim Jim to open the door of the car. But they must have a legitimate reason to do this. For instance when they spot an animal or small child locked inside the car in hot weather, they may break the window to save a life.
It's also a good idea to keep a spare key hidden somewhere in case you're locked out of your vehicle. Some people keep them in easily accessible places like their home or office. Others offer them to family or friends members to keep in case in the event of an emergency. If you have a spare, you should try to reach it before calling the police or taking more drastic measures.
A lot of cars have proximity remotes with a hidden emergency key in them. If yours is one of them, you may be able to unlock the doors from a distance by using the help of a specific tool that a locksmith will have. It is a thin jim with a flat-ended end that can be used to pick locks.
2. Contact a Tow Truck
If you have lost your car keys, the most important thing to do is locate a company that offers emergency car key replacement. It is recommended to keep their contact numbers in your phone under "Emergency," and spend some time looking into their services and the charges they charge, coverage area, technology, and professionals.
This will help you make an informed choice when the need arises. These companies can assist you with an emergency key replacement or replacement.
www.g28carkeys.co.uk/car-key-replacements-near-me/ to prevent losing your keys is to have a spare set, and should you be able to, if feasible, two or three sets. Keep one at home, then give one to your partner or your significant other, and then keep the other one in your wallet or pocket. This will allow you to avoid being stranded in a strange place.
The possession of a spare key can help you avoid calling for assistance on the road. The cost of a brand new key for a traditional one is typically very affordable, but the cost of a smart key could be quite costly. These types of keys make use of an electronic chip to control the vehicle, which means they'll have to be linked with the vehicle by a dealer or manufacturer and can take several days.
It's a good idea, to make the process as simple and quick as is possible you keep the VIN number of the car in your pocket. This number can be found on the documentation for your vehicle, or engraved on a plaque made of metal in the doorway of the driver. This will allow the technician to reprogram your old key so that it can work with the new key.
3. Try a Pump Wedge
It is best to start with a non-destructive treatment especially if you have young children or pets, or elderly people in your vehicle. That way you won't risk needing to call 999 or be charged a high amount from a professional.
Air pump wedges are available in auto lockout kits and by locksmith professionals and repo experts. They're made of tough, heavy-duty vinyl and are designed to be inflated for a brief time before being deflated. This allows you to slide them between the door and the weather stripping, without scratching or dinging the paint of your car.
You can make use of a standard wedge, or a curved one is better for most cars. The idea is to create a space where you can place the long, thin rod in order to reach the locked pin. A coat hanger could be suitable if it's sturdy enough, but you could also try a rod made of plastic or even a blood pressure cuff. The goal is to place the rod between the frame and the door so you can pull it out and unlock the car.
Almost all of these methods cause the car alarm to go off, which is why it's best to avoid them unless there is an emergency. If you don't, the police could have to use more destructive tools to gain access to the car and save your passengers.
Keep a spare key at home or with a close friend to ensure that you have a chance of getting back into your car in case you are locked out. Of course, you should be sure to check whether car key replacement is covered in your roadside assistance plan or auto insurance.
4. Try Coathanger
You've likely seen the coat hanger trick in a film. This is a solution for older cars that have manual locks. It works as a slim jim. All you need is a thin coat hanger made of wire and pliers.
With the pliers, loosen the coat hanger so that it has one side hooked and one straight. Slide the hook between the window frame and the door frame. This will increase your chance of locating the control arm that's connected to the lock rod. Once you've found it pull the lever up and the door should be opened.
Another method is to tie a string using an elongated slip-knot on the upper right corner on the driver's side of the door. Then, you can wiggle the string back and forward (like flossing huge teeth) to move it towards the rod of the inside lock. It could take a few attempts and both hands to allow the lock to be released.
You could also try a strip of plastic that is bent into a shape that will fit in the narrow gap between the door and frame. This is a more challenging option however it could be the only way to get in the vehicle if you cannot locate your keys.
If you have a spare key, it's best to keep it somewhere that you can easily access in the event in an emergency. In the event of an emergency, you'll need to call for road assistance or a locksmith. You should have your key code number as well as personal identification with you so that road assistance or a locksmith can help you quickly.